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Licensed contractor and host Jason Cameron (R) works with homewoner, David Laster (L) to trim the new sod around an existing drainage basin, as seen on America's Most Desperate Landscape 2017. (action)

Photo by: Todd Douglas/ Verbatim Agency

Todd Douglas/ Verbatim Agency

Introduction

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Before digging in your yard with power equipment, call your utilities company to locate and mark underground lines.

Regional factors such as soil type (sandy or clay-like) and conditions (shade levels and moisture content) determine the type of sod to use and the proper process to employ. The soil type of the Disaster House is clay-like and snow is likely in the winter months. To determine the best plan for your lawn, check with your local garden center, sod producer or university extension program.

Step 1

Remove the Old Sod

If your lawn is really small, shovels and a mattock may do the trick. Otherwise, rent a sod-cutter to shave off the top grass evenly and a rototiller to create optimum soil.

Get rid of the old turf debris. Use shovels and garden rakes to remove what the sod-cutter can’t reach. Hopefully the old turf rolls up, but may have to come out in chunks. Use a wheelbarrow to haul it out of your way.

Do not simply till old turf in with the underlying soil. This can lead to a number of future lawn problems such as fungus growth and it makes it harder to grade the soil.

Step 2

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Add New Soil and Grade

Level the exposed soil using rakes. If the soil is very uneven, consider backfilling low areas and leveling the area with a water drum roller. Once the area is level, add amendments in the form of compost. Cattle or dairy-based compost is preferred to deliver proper nutrients. Evenly spread about 1/4” thick over the graded soil. Avoid leaving big piles of compost. Use the rototiller to combine the soil and compost to get a healthy mix. Go to a depth of four to six inches.

Use the garden rake to grade the soil. Comb out any rocks, clods and debris. Try to grade soil about one inch lower than surrounding concrete driveways, sidewalks, and landscape edging so that the installed sod will be flush when installed.

Step 3

Lay the First Row of New Sod

Now you’re ready to lay sod. Rake out your own footprints as you go and avoid standing on fresh sod. Start with the border edges that run against concrete or landscaping. Make sure to tuck the edges tightly.

Step 4

Determine the Direction

With the perimeter sod in place, determine the direction to roll the interior sod by identifying the general slope of the yard. Run the lengths of sod across the slope to minimize erosion and moisture loss. If possible, run sod along the longest dimension of the lawn, this makes for a faster install.

Step 5

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Lay Sod in a Brick Pattern

After lying the first interior roll, cut the second roll in half using a linoleum knife. Cutting on the dirt side of the roll will give you a straight, clean cut. Stagger the end seams to create a brick pattern. Offset end seams at least 18 inches for aesthetics. Lay one half and set aside the other for a later row. Continue laying the sod in this manner making sure to butt all seams tightly, almost folding them into each other. Pound the sod into place with your hand if necessary.

Step 6

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Take Care of New Sod

Water your sod three times daily until it takes root. Shorter, more frequent daily watering is more efficient than one long soaking. Don’t be afraid to occasionally pull up a corner of the sod to inspect how roots are coming along.

With so many moving parts and water seals, dishwashers can break or leak in a lot of places and damage the floor underneath. To simulate a dishwasher disaster, we had a tanker truck flood our dishwasher with more than 800 gallons of water.

We simulated the damage of a tree falling on a roof by dropping a piano from a crane. Such an accident can cause major structural damage. Consult a professional if there are any reframing needs due to building codes.

Hardwood floors can be damaged by any number things. We had professional teppanyaki chefs prepare food on our hardwood floor and take a few whacks at it with machetes and axes just so we can show you how to repair it.